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Rating: Franco Battiato is one of the most original and expressive figures in the Italian scene of the last twenty years. He was born in Riposto, in the province of Catania. He moved to Milan in the sixties and entered the world of Italian music. At the end of the decade, he recorded some singles in the pop domain and collaborated with historical singer-songwriters of our music, such as Giorgio Gaber.
The album was released in 1981 and with this record, Battiato definitively left behind the progressive rock that had characterized his previous albums. ‘La Voce Del Padrone’ is an album that opened new musical scenarios for the artist and achieved incredible commercial success. It was indeed the first Italian album to surpass one million copies sold.
The album was initially much criticized because it was said that the singer-songwriter chose this type of songs specifically to win over the public, but Battiato himself has always denied these claims.
Seven songs, but above all, seven unforgettable hits. Thanks to the language of pop-rock Battiato tells and brings to life moments of his personal life.
The album opens with ‘Summer On A Solitary Beach’ introduced by the sound of waves. The combination of lyrics and music is enchanting and very delicate, immersing the listener in the atmosphere of the song. The English words within the track are truly beautiful. ‘Bandiera Bianca’ is the song that brought the album to maximum success. Once again, deep and meaningful lyrics, with critiques of racism, politics, and consumerism. A delightful organ accompanies Battiato’s voice, who also criticizes Alan Sorrenti, who shifted from experimental music to easier and more accessible sounds. ‘Gli Uccelli’ gently caresses the listener with its stunning melody. It speaks of birds flying free and drawing imperceptible trajectories in the sky, as the lyrics say. It also talks about migrations that take them far away. ‘Cuccurucucu’ is a very famous song that talks about his loves, the world that is gray and blue, and also about Afghan refugees and Native Americans. An anthem for entire generations, it is the song that synthesizes the singer-songwriter's musical and compositional style. Here, too, there are English words and a reference to the Rolling Stones. The use of the choir at the end of the song is very beautiful. ‘Segnali Di Vita’ describes how a man can change and feel oppressed by his state of mind. Once again, magnificent music for lyrics that encapsulate the meaning of life, and it's not the first time. Battiato speaks directly to the listener, creating unique emotions.
Another very famous hit is ‘Centro Di Gravità Permanente’ with its overwhelming rhythm. In this case, it seeks a place that doesn't change one’s mind about certain aspects of life. There are references to Beijing, Russian choirs, and English punk. But more than references, they are open critiques by Battiato. The ending in English is gorgeous. The album closes with ‘Il Sentimento Nuevo’ which captivates with its sensual vortex. The lyrics are very explicit, also referencing Ulysses' sirens. The theme of the song is a man who lets himself be carried away by emotions and gets lost in the enchantment that is created. It’s truly a direct piece, but thanks to the meaning of the lyrics, it is both stunning and magnificent at the same time.
‘La Voce Del Padrone’ is an intense album, rich in meaning, that delivers great emotions. Every man can recognize himself in the words of this masterpiece. It’s a record to be seen as a mirror to look at one's own existence, one's own life. In just over 30 minutes, all this is told: not everyone succeeds, only the greats like him do.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Summer on a Solitary Beach (05:02)
Passammo l'estate
su una spiaggia solitaria
e ci arrivava l'eco di un cinema all'aperto
e sulla sabbia un caldo tropicale
dal mare.
E nel pomeriggio
quando il sole ci nutriva
di tanto in tanto un grido copriva le distanze
e l'aria delle cose diventava
irreale.
Mare mare mare voglio annegare
portami lontano a naufragare
via via via da queste sponde
portami lontano sulle onde.
A wonderful summer
on a solitary beach
against the sea
"le grand hotel Sea-Gull Magique"
mentre lontano un minatore bruno
tornava.
Mare mare mare voglio annegare
portami lontano a naufragare
via via via da queste sponde
portami lontano sulle onde...
02 Bandiera bianca (05:25)
Mr. Tamburino non ho voglia di scherzare
rimettiamoci la maglia i tempi stanno per cambiare
siamo figli delle stelle e pronipoti di sua maest� il denaro.
Per fortuna il mio razzismo non mi fa guardare
quei programmi demenziali con tribune elettorali
e avete voglia di mettervi profumi e deodoranti
siete come sabbie mobili tirate gi� uh uh.
C'� chi si mette degli occhiali da sole
per avere pi� carisma e sintomatico mistero
uh com'� difficile restare padre quando i figli crescono e le mamme
imbiancano.
Quante squallide figure che attraversano il paese
com'� misera la vita negli abusi di potere.
Sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca.
A Beethoven e Sinatra preferisco l' insalata
a Vivaldi l' uva passa che mi d� pi� calorie
uh! com'� difficile restare calmi e indifferenti
mentre tutti intorno fanno rumore
in quest'epoca di pazzi ci mancavano gli idioti dell'orrore.
Ho sentito degli spari in una via del centro
quante stupide galline che si azzuffano per niente
minima immoralia
minima immoralia
e sommersi soprattutto da immondizie musicali.
Sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca.
minima immoralia...
The end
my only friend this is the end
Sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca
sul ponte sventola bandiera bianca.
03 Gli uccelli (04:43)
Volano gli uccelli volano
nello spazio tra le nuvole
con le regole assegnate
a questa parte di universo
al nostro sistema solare.
Aprono le ali
scendono in picchiata, atterrano meglio di aeroplani
cambiano le prospettive al mondo
voli imprevedibili ed ascese velocissime
traiettorie impercettibili
codici di geometria esistenziale.
Migrano gli uccelli emigrano
con il cambio di stagione
giochi di aperture alari
che nascondono segreti
di questo sistema solare.
Aprono le ali
scendono in picchiata, atterrano meglio di aeroplani
cambiano le prospettive al mondo
voli imprevedibili ed ascese velocissime
traiettorie impercettibili
codici di geometria esistenziale.
Volano gli uccelli volano
nello spazio tra le nuvole
con le regole assegnate
a questa parte di universo
al nostro sistema solare.
06 Centro di gravità permanente (03:59)
Una vecchia bretone
con un cappello e un ombrello di carta di riso e canna di bambù.
Capitani coraggiosi
furbi contrabbandieri macedoni.
Gesuiti euclidei
vestiti come dei bonzi per entrare a corte degli imperatori
della dinastia dei Ming.
Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
avrei bisogno di...
Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
over and over again
Per le strade di Pechino erano giorni di maggio
tra noi si scherzava a raccogliere ortiche.
Non sopporto i cori russi
la musica finto rock la new wave italiana il free jazz punk inglese.
Neanche la nera africana.
Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
avrei bisogno di...
Cerco un centro di gravità permanente
che non mi faccia mai cambiare idea sulle cose sulla gente
over and over again...
You are a woman in love baby come into my life
baby i need your love
I want your love
over and over again.
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Other reviews
By voiceface
A brilliant mix of pop, electronic, and symphonic music.
'La Voce Del Padrone' is a unique record in Battiato's career and, as such, can be praised or criticized, depending on the idea one has formed of the artist and his qualities.
By piergiorgio
Listening to him puts us in touch with a part of ourselves we didn’t know we had.
Every Battiato record is a window through which to look within oneself. Take a look, if you feel like it.
By Fiumani
With over a million copies sold, in 1981, Franco Battiato forcefully enters the homes of all Italians, creating a phenomenon of vast and unimaginable proportions.
Strangely and exceptionally, in Italy, everyone begins to hum about 'Jesuit Euclideans' and 'minima immoralia'...
By trout_mask
"The album remains coherent until the end without excesses or flaws."
"Battiato’s typical refinement, the richness and originality of the arrangements... remain intact."
By POLO
"I don’t care at all that 'La Voce del Padrone' is deemed a masterpiece; I don’t like it."
"You don’t fight the revolution with flat music. You can’t deceive people with pop music made just for the sake of it."
